New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-14


THE BROOKLYN COMMITTEES REPORT
The report of the Brooklyn Investigating
Committee. the chief points of which have al
ready been printed in The TRIBUNE, may be
read with interest and profit not only in Brook
lyn. but by all who only year or two ago looked
upon Brooklyn as a model city. The committee
has certainly made a scathing analgnment OF
the wrong doors who have brought disgrace
upon our neighbor and the report demonstrates
what became moro and more clear aS the in
yestigation roccedcd-namcly, the necessity
for the work which Mr. Bacon and his asso-
ciatcs were engaged in. The task was not
completed for lack of time, but the duty OF the
honest citizens Of Brooklyn has been shown
Enthusiastically That duty is 70 JOIN hands,
throwing aside party feeling on local questions.
and wrcst the government Of their city from
the hands of the inscriptions ring which mas
strongly. intrenchcd itself in power.
The committees report deals eNhajsuyely
with all the matters which came before il in
the evidence. and most of its conclusions seem
almost irresistible The statements OF the
preliminary report rs to the necessity of paying
the Register and County Clerk 10y salaries IN
stead Of fees and Of changing the method oil
compcnsating TIE Sheriff for his services arc
repeated. and the passage Of the bills covering
these points is urged. Severe arTaignments
Of Supervisor McKane and Justice Warlng, oil
Grayescnd are made and their indictment Is
strongly urged. The annexation Of Coney
Island TO Brooklyn is proposed in order TO
sccure better government for this much-ire
ouentcd resort. On this point the people Of
BROOKLYN probably will have something To
saw. Ex-Distrct- Attorney Catlin is ccnsurcd
for MS course in regard 10 pool-seling, and the
dismissal of certain policy indictments Mt inc
close of his term through the agency OF Chict
Clerk Bacon is described in the harshcst words.
Dstrict-Attorncy Ridgway comes IN Tor n
large share Of the committees censurc, ana
his reno, al il declared to be necessity. Inc
charges against him. it is recommended, should
be placed in the Governors hands Tor such
action as he may deem wise.
Tho part of the report which VIII receive
tho widest attention probably Is that relating
20 Chief Engineer Ncylns, oil the fIrc Depart
mcnt. and his connection with tho olcculc
light companies. The evidence showing New
ins's dishonest conduct is set forth In the clear
est light md the committee is convinced thas
he has been guilty either Of larceny or coTup-
ton or Of both. The recommendation that
The Grand Jury 60 into this matter thoroughly
and frame an Indictment against Ncyins WIZ
meet with hearty approval. If this man Is
entity, rs the evidence taken by the committee
seems 10 show. he ought not to be allowed 10
retain his Office for another day. The plalncSu
violations of bio Civil Service law were
sbovn bv numerous witnesses, and the com
mittec's words on this subject are SOUND anu
weighty. The paragraphs OF the report re
lating TO tho Auditor, the st. Johnland pur-
chase, the Inebrlatcs' Home, etc, deserve Sc
rous consideration by the Legislature Mr. ia
con and tho two other Assembymen who made
M the majority of the committee have done
we'll. Their work ought to bear substantial
fruit both in legislation for Brooklyn and AZ
| tho election next November.